Tim Ho Wan is unlike any other Michelin star
restaurant. It is humble, inviting and totally non imposing. Nausheen Tareen discovers this dimsum heaven
is an ideal expression of its owner Mak Kwai-pui's personality. Affable,
affordable and top notch.

Tim Ho Wan owner Mak Kwai-pui proudly displaying his Michelin stars

On a recent trip to Hong Kong, we were looking
for options to enjoy a good lunch. Someone suggested Tim Ho Wan. And the lunch
turned out to be memorable. This has to be the world’s cheapest Michelin-star
restaurant. Tim Ho Wan was founded in 2009 by Mak Kwai-pui, formerly a chef of
a three Michelin-starred restaurant, who opened a 20-seater dim sum restaurant
in Mongkok, Hong Kong. The inspiration for it was his desire to make dimsums
not just for a few select elite people but the masses.

Tim Ho Wan, meaning good luck, got its own Michelin
star within six months of opening and has till now opened in 50 locations
around the world including six in Hong Kong. We ate at the Sham Shui Po branch,
which has also received one Michelin star, and met the man himself for a long,
and translated, chat. He spoke about how he has been making dim sums now for
over 40 years, even though he looks 40 odd years himself, and how he was
initiated into this art by his uncle who was a master dim sum maker.

He still cooks every day in the kitchen as he showed
us his food stained clothes and burnt hands. He further spoke about how he
wants to now open a restaurant in mainland China and that he puts no pressure
on his kids to follow in his footsteps. His favorite recipe is the Tim Ho Wan
signature roasted pork bun which is totally different from Hong Kong Cantonese
style of cooking as it is roasted and not stir-fried or steamed as most other
dishes.

Such a humble,
amazing man with an amazing story to share. Keep this on your must-eat list on
your next visit.